Cameras caught up to Nigel Lythgoe recently, however, and he shared a compelling argument, perhaps proving once and for all that there were no fabricated arguments or editing tricks, just genuine bad blood!

The British TV kingpin knows we aren't naive enough to believe a reality television show is above trying a stunt like this for ratings. In fact, Nigel's banking on a savvy audience when he explains:

"I have no idea why I would be [staging a feud for ratings] five months before the show went out."

An incredibly valid point! Why use your ace in the hole this early, when the stakes aren't high?

Assuming there are no more incidents between the two ladies, this recent flaring up of tempers between Her Minajesty and Mizz Mariah will all but be forgotten by the time the AI premieres!

It might not help ratings one bit!

Nigel revealed:

"I would only do ANYTHING for ratings a month before the show went out. They've got my timing wrong."